Pure Essence: Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait! So many ideas have been flowing through me lately and I finally decided to update. I took so long because of school and testing and it's also because I don't know where the heck I'm going with this plot. But, I've finally decided that this will be the last chapter. So I hope you will enjoy it and please support me till the end! Thank You! R/ R

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but my plot.

Previously in the last chapter:

Tears had already started flowing from Izumi's eyes as she witnesses the scene, which Takuya seems to be enjoying so much.

With angry fury, she stomped towards him. She ripped the girl out of his grasp and without a second thought, she slapped him HARD across the cheek.

"We're OVER!" she yelled. Takuya looked dazed and surprised at the same time.

Regaining his composure, he called out Izumi's name. But, Izumi merely yelled out an "I don't want to hear it!" and with that, she turned and ran.

Final Chapter
Chapter 10:
I Promise…

Izumi ran and ran. The world around her was a blur as she raced past it. Her once beautiful aqua marine eyes became lifeless and dull. Tears dripped from them as she held back a choked cry.

'How could he do this to me!' the river of tears flowed endlessly and her vision blurred.

Whispers surrounded her as she raced past stores and pedestrians. She knew those people were talking about her and she didn't care. Without watching where she was going, she ran right into a woman with a bagful of groceries. The woman gave a startled cry as her groceries were knocked out of her arms and onto the street.

"Hey!" the woman yelled angrily. "Watch where you're going m-" She stopped when she saw Izumi's scraped knee. "A-are you okay?" she asked in concern and dug into her purse for something to stop the bleeding.

Izumi did not answer. Her eyes were hidden by her bangs and her shoulders shook. The woman bent down and slowly wiped her cut with a small napkin. Izumi roughly pushed her away and looked up with angry eyes.

"I don't need your pity!" she yelled and the woman took a step back. A small crowd had started forming around the two. Izumi took a deep breath and stood up. She winced in pain as she felt the pressure on her raw knee. She slowly limped toward an opening in the crowd. The people made way for her to pass through.

"WAIT!" the woman grabbed her wrist. "You didn't even apologize for running into me! Don't think I'll let you get away just because you're hurt!"

Izumi tried to pull her wrist away but the woman only held on tighter. She continued to struggle but the woman just wouldn't give up. "Leave me alone!" Izumi glared at the woman. The woman merely squeezed her wrist harder causing Izumi to struggle even more. "Let go of me!"

"No. Apologize and pick up my groceries."

"No." A look of defiance and anger was plastered on Izumi's face. The woman growled in annoyance. "You're asking for it young lady!"

"What if I am?" Izumi no longer cared about respect. For the first time in her life, she talked back to a person older than her.

The woman pulled Izumi forward and raised her hand. Izumi knew what was coming but she couldn't move. The cut on her knee was painful and her wrist was trapped in the woman's grasp. Izumi closed her eyes tightly and waited for the painful impact. She felt the cool air on her face as the woman swung her hand.

SMACK!

'Huh?' Izumi used her other hand to feel her cheeks. It didn't sting or hurt. "What?" She opened her eyes and gasped. Kouji stood in front her with his arms outstretched in a protective stance. His left cheek was red and a little swollen.

Izumi covered her mouth in surprise and horror. "Kouji! Why?" Kouji turned to look at her and gave her a warm smile causing Izumi's eyes to water.

"Because it's my job to protect you." He gave her a gentle pat on the head and turned to face the woman. "Please release her hand." He said calmly and politely. The woman had a shocked look on her face. She slowly dropped Izumi's hand and stood there dumbfounded that this man had suddenly showed up out of no where and protected the girl.

Whispers began filling the silence. The woman looked around embarrassed that they had caused such a big scene.

"I-It's not my fault!" The woman pointed an accusing finger at Izumi. "It's her fault for running into me and then trying to leave without apologizing." Kouji took a step closer to the woman and she turned to look at him. To her surprise, Kouji bowed causing Izumi's eyes to widen.

"K-Kouji! What are you doing?" 'Why… why is he always so caring…?' A feeling of guilt surfaced within her. 'I don't deserve to be protected…'

"I'll apologize on her behalf then" Kouji said to the woman. "Please accept my apology."

"I-I guess so if you put it that way…" The woman looked at him. "But, she also refused to pick up the groceries she caused me to drop."

Kouji, without being told what to do, bent down and began picking up scattered oranges and apples. Izumi stood rooted at her spot as she watched Kouji went on his knees and hands to pick up the groceries. She closed her eyes at the scene. The people around them were pointing and laughing.

Why is he being so nice? Why is he always there when she needed him? Why is he being embarrassed in public because of her? All these questions raced through her mind. Finally she snapped and limped over to Kouji.

"Kouji! Stop it! Why are you doing this? It's not even your fault. Get up! I'll do it. It's my fault!" she cried desperately pulling Kouji by the arm hoping that it will get him to stop. "Stop being so nice to me…" she sniffed.

Kouji stopped and looked up at her with gentle blue eyes. "Don't worry about it."

"But-"

"Shh…" he whispered and quickly finished picking up the groceries. He stood up and handed the bag to the woman. "Sorry for the trouble" he said and bowed again. The crowd watched in awe at the noble young man. Kouji turned to Izumi and examined her knee. "Are you okay?" he asked her and lightly brushed his fingers above the cut. Izumi flinched but nodded.

"Does it hurt a lot?" he whispered softly as his fingers delicately caressed her sensitive skin.

"No. Not really." She told him. "I can still walk." She took a step forward and a sharp pain went through the legs. "I think" she winced.

Kouji chuckled at her stubbornness. "I'll carry you." He offered. Before she could say anything, Izumi was already swept off her feet and carried bridal style out of the crowd.

"W-wait! Kouji! Put me down. I can still walk!" she cried but he paid her no heed.

"Daijoubu" he told her. "It's not like you're heavy"

Izumi was about to argue with him but he silenced her with a look and she sighed defeated. "Alright…"

Kouji grinned like a little child who had just won an argument and Izumi couldn't help but give him a tiny smile.

After a short walk, they reached a medical center. He carried her inside and the nurses immediately guided him to a room where he put Izumi down on a chair. He stood beside her as the nurse sprayed disinfectants on her knee. Izumi flinched and gasped at the burning sensation.

She clenched her hands into a fist and was surprised when Kouji puts his hand on top of hers as a sign of comfort. She gave him a thankful smile and returned her attention back to her knee. Izumi watched as the nurse wrapped her knee neatly in a white cloth. The nurse looked up at Izumi and gave her a sweet smile. "Don't worry. Your knee is fine. It's just a little scrape."

Izumi and Kouji thanked her politely and exited the medical center.

The day was already ending. The sky was turning orange and the outline of the moon can be seen.

"Shall we go home now?" he whispered.

Izumi stared at the ground. There was no reason to stay here anymore… The fact that Takuya cheated on her still hurts inside but…

"I think I'll give up now." She turned to look at Kouji with determination. 'I will be strong. I will not become weak because of a man who doesn't love me'

"You don't have to push yourself that hard." He grasped her hand gently.

Izumi shook her head. "It's not that. There's no point dwelling over someone who doesn't love me" She flashed him a sad smile. "It's going to be a hard thing for me to do. But, if you're by my side supporting me, I'm sure I can do it."

Kouji stared at Izumi. He could tell that she's trying so hard to be strong in front of him so that he can't see her true feelings. But, one look in her eyes, and he saw it all.

Without warning, he pulled her into his chest and held her. "Cry" he told her. "You don't have to hide anything from me." He felt Izumi's head nuzzle his neck. "Go ahead. Don't hold back." Izumi's eyes widened and she let out a sad laugh.

"You saw through me again…" she whispered.

"Nn." Kouji nodded. He felt her relax and her body began to shake. He closed his eyes as she cried.

'Tonight, will be the last night I will think about you. Takuya.' She thought. 'All the time I've wasted and all the tears I've cried… I will leave them behind tonight.'

As her sobs died down, she pulled away from Kouji and wiped her eyes. She looked up at him and she was surprised when her aqua marine eyes met his ever blue eyes that matched the darkening sky. They looked at each other for a few minutes without saying a word.

Then Kouji broke the silence. "Izumi."

"Hmm?"

"I know this is a bit sudden but..." He bent down and whispers a few words into her ear. She blushed at what he said and also at their close contact.

Then, he pulled away and began walking toward the direction of the train station. Izumi walked slowly behind him. The words he said surprised her and his words repeated themselves over and over in her head.

Flashback:

"Will you give me a chance?" he whispered into her ear. Izumi turned red. "You don't have to give me an answer now. You can tell me your answer anytime. I'll be waiting."

She could feel his hot breath on her neck and she shivered. He pulled away slowly and began walking away leaving her standing there unsure if she had heard correctly.

End of Flashback

Izumi watched Kouji's back as he walked. 'Should I give him a chance?' she thought to herself and blushed. She never thought her old feelings for Kouji would begin to resurface again.

Thinking back, she flashed back to the wonderful and happy moments she and Kouji had shared. He was always by her side whether it was to protect her, to comfort her, or just be there to lend her his ear. With him, she felt so loved and cherished. He had everything she desired. She trusted him. Before she knew it, she had fallen for him.

Izumi gathered up her courage. She walked a little faster to catch up to him. When she caught up to his side, she reached out her hand hesitantly and gently held his hand. Kouji stopped walking and looked at Izumi with a surprised expression. She smiled at him and quickly gave him a small peck on the lips.

"If I say yes, will you promise me that you'll be with me forever?" she looked him in the eye lovingly.

Kouji was surprised at her question but his shocked expression turned into a grin. "Of course. I'll love you forever… princess." He teased.

She giggled. "Then…" she whispered "It's a promise?" He nodded. "It's a promise." Then, he leaned over and sealed the contract with a kiss.

"In the end, I'm glad that I picked the road that will bring me eternal happiness…" --- Izumi

A/N YAY! It's done! Did you enjoy it? This chapter is full of Kouji x Izumi loveliness XD Please review and let me know how I did on the last chapter. I'm surprised I was able to write this chapter. I thought I lost all inspiration but when I started writing, the ideas just keep coming ;) I hope it turned out pretty good! MUAHHAHAAHA! Oh yea! I forgot to explain Takuya's situation. Tsk tsk tsk. Shame on me!

P.S- Well, at the end, Takuya lost the other girl too because she found out that he was two- timing her when he had Izumi : ( ! Poor Takuya…. Now who will he end with ;)